Goblin Solo/Deuce Air Cartridge Review

The Goblin Solo and Deuce are airsoft/paintball shotguns. Although both Goblin Solo and Goblin Deuce are fictional weapons that are not based on any real firearm, its airsoft firing capability simulates that a real shotgun.

The way Goblin Solo/Deuce launchers achieves this realistic shotgun firing capability is in its air cartridge. We are going to call the Goblin air cartridge and the hull (see photo below), "shotgun shell" or "shotshell". The shotshell is able to do so using the self-contained air cartridge, which store CO2, green gas, red gas, or propane within itself. When you trigger the Goblin shotgun shell, it fires up to 12 airsoft BB's stored in the hull, or one paintball.

In this article, we are going to review the Goblin Solo/Deuce shotgun shell. That's right, we are not going to review the Goblin Solo/Deuce airsoft shotgun, even though we will mention it throughout this article. Why? Because 1) we don't have one; 2) the Goblin Solo/Deuce shotshell can fire on its own without the Goblin Solo/Deuce launchers; 3) we want to use these shotgun shells in an underbarrel shotgun. We'll talk about these points in this article.

Package

The Goblin Solo/Deuce launchers comes with 1 of these shotgun shells. However, you can purchase more. That's a good thing, because it is no fun to use only 1 shell in an airsoft/paintball game. You'll probably want quite a few. A little less if it is just your airsoft breaching weapon. Additional shotgun shells comes two to a pack (see photo below).

When purchased the additional airsoft shotshells in this manner, the package comes with two airsoft hulls. Paintball hulls are also available. Goblin calls them, "barrel sizers". There are six paintball barrel sizers to a pack that include three different sizes: .668, .676, and .68. Photo below shows the difference between airsoft and paintball hulls.

Look and Feel

The Goblin Solo/Deuce airsoft shotgun shell has a hard plastic hull. "Airsoft" is printed on one side, while "6mm Nitro-Express" is printed on the other (see photos below). The plastic hull is very hard and could probably take a beating. It is strengthened further by ribs that run up and down.

You can easily slide the plastic hull off the shotgun shell casing easily. In fact, it is designed that way, because you have to remove the plastic hall to charge the air cartridge with gas. The following photo shows what it looks like when the plastic hull is removed.

In addition to the airsoft hull, Goblin also have paintball hulls. There are three different paintball hull sizes. If you buy the paintball barrel sizer kit (see photo below), it comes with three different sizes: .

Charging

The beauty of the Goblin Solo/Deuce air cartridge is that you can charge it with standard airsoft tools that you use to charge gas magazines, grenade shells, etc. You can charge straight from a green/red gas canister, a propane adapter, or CO2 cartridge adapter. If you already use these things for your airsoft equipment, then you are good to go. If not, propane and adapter is readily available locally and is very inexpensive.

To charge, remove the plastic hull from the Goblin shotshell. Then charge through the standard gas charging port on top of the air cartridge. Unlike a gas magazine, you should not turn the gas tank upside down, because there is really no consistency benefit to fill it with the liquid form of the gas as all of the gas will be expelled in one shot. You will have perfect consistency just filling up the air cartridge completely; when the pressure equalizes. That should take less than a second.

After charging, put the plastic hull back on, and fill it with the appropriate ammunition. Just be carefull that you don't accidently trigger the activation button with your finger or other pointy objects.

Consumables

Other than the gas, there is no other consumables, making the Goblin one of yhe most economocal airsoft shotshells on the market; compared to airsoft shotshells that uses wads and sealing papers.

You have a choice of four different gases: CO2, red gas, green gas, and propane. Because all four gases have different pressure points, you can actually mix different loadouts for different situations. Then use the appropriate shotshell when the situation arises.

Performance

Loaded with propane, the Goblin shotshell fires 0.2g BB approximately 25 to 50 feet. So far, we haven't been able to figure out the velocity each BB fires at, because our chronograph measures one BB at a time. The Goblin shotshell fires twelve BB's at the same time. Goblin's web site claims, "the velocity does not exceed 300 FPS (typically 200-250 FPS)". So, we'll just have to go with that for now.

On the field, we find that you should charge the Goblin shotshell up between every game. The Goblin shotshell will leak gas over time, so if you do not fire the shotshell, the gas will diminish from one game to another. Charging it between every game solves that problem.

Alternative Uses

The Goblin Solo/Deuce airsoft shotshells are very similar to 40mm airsoft grenade shells in design. It has a small activation button. But there is enough clearance (see photo below) that you can activate it with your finger. Therefore, you don't even need the laumcher to launch the BBs. But it is impractical when you use it this way, because the plastic hull will generally shoot out with the BBs. You will have to hold it tightly with two hands. And the recoli is not the most comfortable feeling when you are holding the shotshell tightly in your hands.

As we have alluded to earlier in this article, we have not purchased the Goblin Solo/Deuce launchers. Instead, we want to use the Goblin Solo/Deuce shotshells in an airsoft under-barrel shotgun. Airsoft3D is in the process of designer ng the Helio M726 Underbarrel Shotgun to use the Goblin Solo/Deuce shotshells. It is a science fiction airsoft under-barrel shotgun. But, ironically, it is the only airsoft shotgun on the market the fires multiple airsoft BB's realistically. The following video demonstrates the Airsoft3D Helio M726 Underbarrel Shotgun system concept.

Disassembly and Maintenance

Much like any other airsoft gas equipment, the Goblin shotshell is sealed with rubber o-rings. Therefore, you need to disassemble it every so often to give it some love, tender, and care. That usually means spraying the o-rings with silicone lubricant.

The top cap can be unscrewed (see photo below). Under the cap is a thick black o-ring. The charging port also has a o-ring like seal that should be lubricated as well.

The base can also be unscrewed, revealing a large o-ring (see photo below).

There are two small o-rings on the trigger pin (see photo below).

You can unscrew the trigger pin valve. There is a tiny spring within the trigger pin. Don't lose it! But normally, there is no need to take apart the trigger pin.

From daily use, you'll see the two large o-rings after you remove the hull. Remember to lubricate them as well.